Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Practice Test

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Prepare for your Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) exam. Study using flashcards and rich question sets with detailed explanations to enhance your readiness and confidence for the test day.

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D5W IV solution should be avoided in patients with which condition?

Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Hypertension
Hypovolemia

The correct answer is: Hypovolemia

D5W (Dextrose 5% in Water) IV solution is a type of hypotonic solution that can lead to an increase in glucose levels in the body. In patients with hypovolemia, which is a state of decreased blood volume, administering D5W may not be appropriate. This is because D5W does not provide any fluid resuscitation benefits that isotonic solutions (like normal saline or lactated Ringer's solution) would provide. Instead, it could further dilute the existing volume and potentially worsen tissue perfusion, as it does not restore actual plasma volume required for adequate circulatory support. Additionally, hypovolemic patients typically require isotonic fluids to help increase intravascular volume effectively, whereas D5W is more suitable for patients who need maintenance fluids or have specific metabolic needs. Therefore, in the case of hypovolemia, using D5W could be detrimental to a patient's overall hemodynamic status.